Follows Juco.
Ilantes looks around to see if any of the pages that had been torn out of the book were still around, then takes the book with her when she follows the others.
"What? It should make for some interesting reading. I don't know who Irori is."
She stops and asks the guard if she can take the book if no one at the mansion is taking care of it anymore.
Ilantes looks around to see if any of the pages that had been torn out of the book were still around, then takes the book with her when she follows the others.
She stops and asks the guard if she can take the book if no one at the mansion is taking care of it anymore.
"Can you take the book? You need to ask the Lord about that. Nobody uses the chapel since Lady Elizabeth had us run off that Bergen fellow. So you better put it back until the Lord gives you permission to take it."
"Who is Bergen?"
"Bergen?", the guard considers. "A priest that was sent to teach the young Lords and Ladies of the manor here. Evidently the Lady Elizabeth did not care for him and he was forced out about a year ago. Since then nobody has used the Chapel as far as I know."
"Does he still live in this area?"
Ulm follows Juco and the others, staying close to Sergeant.
When they are out of earshot of the guards he whispers to Sergeant.
"We met Bergen yesterday, he asked us to investigate here."
Ilantes runs back to the chapel to put the book back, but she thinks it is disgraceful to treat a book so poorly, then runs back to catch up with the others.
"Does he still live in this area?"
"Word was he was living in the village, but if I was him I would have moved on. The Lady wanted him killed originally but Erich, her son, instead had us just drive Bergen out."
Ulm follows Juco and the others, staying close to Sergeant.
When they are out of earshot of the guards he whispers to Sergeant.
"We met Bergen yesterday, he asked us to investigate here."
"All humans look alike to me, but we did extra information about the relationship between the two."
As you move back to the hallway leading to the guest quarters, you pass a door. The sound of heavy snoring can be heard from within. At the far end of the hall is another door and the door to the guest quarters is on the right side of the hall.
"Well I don't know where they disappeared to. Why are you asking me?", you hear a scratchy voice down the hall as the door to the guest quarters opens. Out steps an older woman still looking in the door. A younger voice replies, "I didn't say you knew, Edith, I was just asking is all." Out into the hall steps a young woman scratching her head. She then turns and sees your group. "OH!", she exclaims looking a bit startled. The older woman turns to look and seeing you goes, "Humph.", smacking her gums together. The younger woman recovers and puts on a bright smile, "Greetings good sirs and madam. I am Gertrude and this Edith. We are housekeepers here. We were told that you would be staying with us. Is there anything that you need?"
Juco looks at the 'housekeepers', than at his companions, not knowing what to do.
Ilantes catches up with the team just as the "housekeepers" asked their question. She looks them over, uncertain whether they are being polite or genuinely helpful.
"As you may know, we are conducting an investigation on behalf of the City of Magnamar. If you know of anything... strange or unusual that has occured around here, that might assist our investigation. Is there anything you'd like to report?"
Ilantes catches up with the team just as the "housekeepers" asked their question. She looks them over, uncertain whether they are being polite or genuinely helpful.
"As you may know, we are conducting an investigation on behalf of the City of Magnamar. If you know of anything... strange or unusual that has occured around here, that might assist our investigation. Is there anything you'd like to report?"
"Strange? Unusually? Why I don't know what you could mean? hee, hee" The young woman starts laughing nervously. Her smile appearing forced. "Everything is fine here. We are fine. How are you?" she continues with a bit of panic in her eyes.
Ilantes raises an eyebrow, uncertain how to respond to the obvious duplicity. She looks to Ulm and Sargeant for assistance.
"By your tone everything is not allright. Tell us the truth so we can stop any wrong doing."
The old woman, Edith, mumbles out, "Well if you wish to hear about things, then perhaps we should go inside and speak." She then reenters the guest quarters and sits down in a chair, tapping her fingers impatiently. A pained look comes over the younger woman's face, but she moves into the guest quarters as well. Edith motions for the door to be closed when the last person comes in. "So what do you want to know first? How the Lords and Ladies have gone insane? Or about the orc-creatures that now work as their soldiers attacking the village? Or what? I'm too old to play guessing games, so what is it you wish to know?"
Ilantes follows the woman into the room, standing with her legs shoulder-width apart as she listens to her questions.
"You obviously have quite a tale to tell. If we have the time, and it can be done safely, begin at the beginning and tell us everything that has happened. At least, the beginning of this strangeness. If there is something that prevents us, then tell us only the most important information."
Ilantes keeps a wary eye on the door, listening subconsciously to the sounds outside the room in the hopes of not being caught unawares should the situation merit it. Most of her attention is focused on the servants in front of her.
Ulm stands by the doorway, on guard for any possible intruders.
We have heard strong accusations in the village. We need evidence of law-breaking before we can act. If you can assist us in learning the truth, we can deal with any crimes that have been committed. The Laws of Magnimar will be upheld.
"Protect us from fairies and gnomes," the old woman says sarcasticly. "Fine, you want a story. I'll give you a story. Five years ago, shortly after Lord Helmut was sent away, the children and the parents began to change. His eldest brother Erich was the first, he become hard spirited to everyone. At first it was just jealousy from having his younger brother sent to the Windsong Abby over him, but soon it became something much worst. One day a group of orc mercenaries, strange ones though, I've seen orcs before, these are different, meaner, showed up following Erich's orders. He sent them into town to stop 'trouble-makers'."
"Of course, that didn't happen until after Lord Valdric had some women brought in to 'serve' him if you understand me. Lady Elzbeth hasn't been happy about that, very on edge she has. But Erich and Valdric were just the first two. Each of the other children each has changed, some becoming meaner, some lazy and sloven, all dark shadows of themselves. I only wonder how soon it shall be till Helmut falls under the taint of this evil place now that he is back."
The young girl puts in, "There are even foul creatures here. I have seen them before, wandering the halls on occassion. I quickly hide to stay out of their way."
"Did you see were in the castle they came from, or whent to?"
"Also are there any chambers in the keep you are bared from?"
"Protect us from fairies and gnomes," the old woman says sarcasticly.
Juco pulls his hood back to reveal his lineage, an almost imperceptible grin on his face.
Ulm stands by the doorway, on guard for any possible intruders.
We have heard strong accusations in the village. We need evidence of law-breaking before we can act. If you can assist us in learning the truth, we can deal with any crimes that have been committed. The Laws of Magnimar will be upheld.
"The Laws of Magnimar will of course be upheld, but safety comes first. If you feel that you are in any danger, do not hesitate but flee from this place! Go to the town, and ally yourself with Bergen. Help us understand further where the dangers of this manor are so that we can deal with them in all haste."
"They never are where there are alot of people. Never in the courtyard during the day or anything. The few times I've seen the creatures, they were in a deserted hallway or in the old library." the young woman explains.
"Ally with Bergen! hee hee", the old woman cackles. "Why all the trouble started when he came here. I think that the Lady believes he has something to do with it, that is why she drove him out. Trying to protect her own, I expect. Though too late for most of her family I am afraid. Most have become foul creatures. No, there is no where to hide from this danger. As long as they are in power over this land, it is better to be close by, than in the village and targeted by those orc-beasts. At least here they stay out of most of the civilized areas. The closer we are to danger, the farther we are from harm, as the saying goes."
Looking over at Juco, "Well at least we have the entire Seelie Court here to protect us, hee hee," the old woman cackles shacking her head. Pointing her finger at Gary, "And what are you, a leprechaun I guess? hee, hee."
"They never are where there are alot of people. Never in the courtyard during the day or anything. The few times I've seen the creatures, they were in a deserted hallway or in the old library." the young woman explains.
"Ally with Bergen! hee hee", the old woman cackles. "Why all the trouble started when he came here. I think that the Lady believes he has something to do with it, that is why she drove him out. Trying to protect her own, I expect. Though too late for most of her family I am afraid. Most have become foul creatures. No, there is no where to hide from this danger. As long as they are in power over this land, it is better to be close by, than in the village and targeted by those orc-beasts. At least here they stay out of most of the civilized areas. The closer we are to danger, the farther we are from harm, as the saying goes."
Looking over at Juco, "Well at least we have the entire Seelie Court here to protect us, hee hee," the old woman cackles shacking her head. Pointing her finger at Gary, "And what are you, a leprechaun I guess? hee, hee."
She snaps Gary out of his thoughts. Gary grins and shakes his head. "I knew you'd say that! No, I'm not a leprechaun, I'm a kender of Krynn! Do you know why there are all these villagers angry at you all? Why did you send people to kill them? Oh, who are you again?"
She snaps Gary out of his thoughts. Gary grins and shakes his head. "I knew you'd say that! No, I'm not a leprechaun, I'm a kender of Krynn! Do you know why there are all these villagers angry at you all? Why did you send people to kill them? Oh, who are you again?"
"Did you know, hmm? Well then surely a kinder crying fellow like yourself knows why the villagers are angry about having orc beasts attack them." Looking back to the group as a whole, the old woman takes a deep breath and then pulls herself out of the chair.
"Now if there isn't anything else you need, we must get back to our work before we are missed. We must get lunch ready, that is if Leanor hasn't eaten it all again. And Gertrude, you must start trying to get Kris out of bed so that he might dine with his family and these honored guests. If you are interested in the creatures, one is usually hanging around the library. You can reach it by going through the court yard and heading in that direction," she points to the North-West. "Though I image the guards have told to keep you here. You could go through the kitchen and avoid most of them. We can show you the way, since we must go there now, if you wish."
Ulm quietly listens to the housekeeper's story. When they are finished he nods to them.
Thank you for your assistance. We would love to accompany you to the kitchens.
The two women lead the group down to the end of the hall and through a door to a small room where a spiral staircase climbs up to the level above. At the top of the stairs is another small room that leads directly to the kitchen.
You see four servants working in here apparently preparing the midday meal for yourselves and the Lords and Ladies. All of the servants appear to be doing their best to not notice a gross creature sitting in the corner stuffing food into its mouth while they go about their work. Some give your group a strange look as you enter the kitchen.
The creaure in the corner was clearly once human, but the rolls of fat conceal even the gender. Its face is smeared with old food, rotting on its very cheeks. Small porcine eyes roll about in its head, and prodigious nostrils taste the air, searching for its next meal.
The old woman turns to the younger, "Gertrude, see the guests out of this area and then you must go and rouse Master Kris to join the others for the meal shorterly." The old woman's behavior is obviously much more professional than what you had seen in the guest quarters. Whether that is because of the other servants present or the creature squating in the corner, you can't be sure.
Ilantes looks over the pitiful sight, unable to keep the sadness from penetrating her eyes.
Ine daye of olde, bracht merrily
yon heavy cyrse of Gluttony.
Quietly to Ilantes, "Is that an orc, we can kill it if it's an orc."
Quietly to Ilantes, "Is that an orc, we can kill it if it's an orc."
Ilantes shakes her head.
"It is not. At least, it is like no orc I have ever seen. This once used to be a human."
Juco mumbles something in sylvan that translates roughly into "Just like a human."
Gertrude motions for the group to follow her out into the hall. Once outside says to you, "That was Leanor, the youngest daughter of Lord Valdric and Lady Elzbeth. Leanor has transformed to that ... creature in the last year." Her body momentarily shakes in revulsion.
"Down this way is a door to the Observatory where you can look down into the Libary's study", she motions to a door, you can see a stairway past it. "If you are interested in going to the library itself, the fastest way would be to go down this hallway," motioning with her hand down a hallway with three doors. "Then take a right. You will see a stairway, take these back down to the ground floor. Once there take the second door. That will take you to the library proper and you should be able to avoid most of the guards."
"I must go upstairs and awake Kris, the second youngest son of the Lord and Lady, and try to get him ready for meal. He has become quite lazy the last couple of years."
"First Gluttony and now Sloth.... I am beginning to think the Thassilonian sin-magics have risen again, here in this family for some reason. Lust, Envy, I am uncertain if I can recall the other ones. The Thassilonian culture was not one I ever had time to intellectually pursue. I encountered some things in my language studies of course."
"We have enough proof of malignant forces at work here. We should dispense with civilities and interrogate this monster and get the crux of the problem."
"We have enough proof of malignant forces at work here. We should dispense with civilities and interrogate this monster and get the crux of the problem."
Ilantes is thoughtful for a moment.
"The monster, as you call her, has done nothing to earn that title, and as far as I am aware, has broken no laws. Unwarranted interrogation will earn us nothing, as there is as of yet no proof of wrongdoing. Some wrongs have been committed, it is certain, but where the culprit is we have not yet discerned."
Ilantes lowers her voice as their guides bring them into the library. "We should question the 'creature' here in the library, though. Without interrogating it."
"First Gluttony and now Sloth.... I am beginning to think the Thassilonian sin-magics have risen again, here in this family for some reason. Lust, Envy, I am uncertain if I can recall the other ones. The Thassilonian culture was not one I ever had time to intellectually pursue. I encountered some things in my language studies of course."
"Pride. Y mi liugty ri Wrath."
Gertrude raises an eyebrow to the discussion and then seeming to desire to be somewhere else starts walking away from the group towards the stairs by the door to the Observatory. "Well take care. Good luck to you." She tries to hustle away without looking like she is hustling away and heads up the stairs to the next level.
I agree with the elf; we need more information. Repulsiveness is not a crime. If there is some evil force that is enchanting these people against their will, that is another matter. Let's keep looking and try to find out the source of this change.
Then let us search the cellers.
Updated Maps:
Ground Floor
1: Courtyard
2: Stable
3: Watchtowers
4: Chapel
5: Inner Courtyard
9: Hall
11: Guest Quarters
12: Stairs up to kitchen area
12: Stairs leading to guest quarters on the ground level
21: Kitchen
22: Hallway
23: Stairway that Gertrude suggest you take down to get to the main library
Currently the party is standing just outside of the kitchen. Gertrude has disappeared up the stairs at the end of the hallway to the left (West). She told you that the door to the left (West) leads to the Observatory of the library study. She also told you, that the main library could be reached by the stairs up and to the right (North-East). Go down and take the second door on the ground floor.
Then let us search the cellers.
"I ment to say search the libary."
Ulm turns and strides towards the library.
Follows Ulm.
Gary, lost in thought, follows Juco.
Example: